Infiniti G

Infiniti's 2007 update of the G series cars significantly improved the interior accommodations and the control layout. This, along with several other attributes made it our top-rated car in the class. A larger 3.7-liter V6 was added to the coupe for 2008, and the sedan a year later, when a seven-speed automatic transmission was also made standard. We didn't think much of the convertible version that arrived in 2009. A less-costly G25, with a 2.5-liter V6 introduced in 2011, sacrifices a little acceleration, but gets much better fuel economy. The G25 was discontinued in 2013. The sedan was redesigned in 2014 and renamed Q50. The old platform carried on and the sedan was renamed Q40; while coupe and convertible versions were named Q60.

The original G35 was Infiniti's first real try at a mid-size rear-drive luxury/sport sedan. The car has a well-controlled ride, a quiet and nicely finished cabin, and a strong 3.5-liter V6. The G35 was also one of the few four-door luxury sedans of its time to offer a six-speed manual transmission, as well as an exceptionally smooth automatic. Routine handling was agile, but emergency handling could be tricky. The all-wheel-drive version, known as the G35X, is also very nice -- but more fuel-thirsty.